Nautical Alphabet
Code Flags and the Phonetic Alphabet
Alphabets come in many varying forms depending on the way you are transmitting the information.
During radio transmissions you will use the phonetic alphabet, which you will find alongside each code flag below.
The phonetic alphabet should be used for radio transmissions in plan language or in code. If you need to spell out a word you should say "I spell" after pronouncing the word and then spell it using the phonetic alphabet. Double digits should be transmitted digit by digit. The VHF SRC Course is recommended and a legal requirement for operating a VHF radio. Try the flag test.
A - Alpha
Divers Down
B - Bravo
I am taking in or discharging or carrying dangerous goods
C - Charlie
Affirmative/Yes
D - Delta
Keep Clear, I am maneuvering with difficulty.
E - Echo
Altering course to starboard.
F - Foxtrot
I am disabled, please communicate.
G - Golf
I require a Pilot
H - Hotel
I have a pilot on board
I - India
I am altering course to port.
J - Juliet
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo aboard; keep well clear of me
K -Kilo
I wish to communicate with you.
L - Lima
You should stop your vessel instantly
M - Mike
My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water
N - November
No (negative)
O - Oscar
Man overboard
P - Papa
All aboard, vessel is about to proceed to sea
Q - Quebec
My vessel is healthy and I request free practique
R - Romeo
O - Oscar
Man overboard
T - Tango
Keep clear of me I am engaged in pair trawling
U - Uniform
You are running into danger
V - Victor
Require assitance (not in distress)
W - Whiskey
I require medical assistance
X - X-ray
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y - Yankee
I am carrying mail / dragging anchor
Z - Zulu
I require a tug.
Repeater 1
Repeater 2
Repeater 3
Number Pennants
0 - Zero
1 - Wun
2 - Too
3 - Tree
4 - Fow-er
5 - Fife
6 - Six
7 - Sev-en
8 - Ait
